Photo frame apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention is a photo frame apparatus which can display more than one photo or picture. The invention comprises an album or book of photos mounted in a frame. The book of photos comprises a book binder, spine or hinge. The photo frame of the invention simultaneously displays upper and lower photographs or pictures. Upon opening the frame the upper and lower photographs can be flipped like pages in a book thus making it easy to change and display different pairs of photographs. Upon closing the frame the upper and lower photographs are displayed through a frame mat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/541,244 (filed Sep. 30, 2011). The entire content of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/541,244 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photo frames. More specifically, the invention is a photo frame which can display multiple photos.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Photograph display devices typically include a picture frame and a support of some kind to hold the picture frame either on a horizontal or vertical surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,799 describes a display device that combines a picture frame and an album, and which may be supported in an upright position on a surface or hung from a wall or the like. An object of the '799 invention is to a unitary picture frame having a compartment for storing photographs or photographic albums (see column 1, lines 20-22).

U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,793 discloses a frame construction for a plural page document and having framing means defining a window area bordered thereby. Carrier means carried by said framing means, said carrier means carrying the pages of the document and supporting the same in hinged stacked relation in the window area to permit the pages to be subsequently fanned at the window area for individual viewing thereof. More specifically, the '793 invention is directed to a frame construction that can be utilized for framing a plural page document, the frame construction being adapted to be mounted on a wall, desk, or other desired supporting structure (see column 1, lines 14-17).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,361 discloses a combination picture frame and album wherein the picture frame has a removable front panel which enables the picture to be displayed to be mounted in the frame and thereafter retained in position when the panel is replaced. The album of the combination is stored beneath the frame and is inserted through an opening provided in the side wall. The album normally stored in the frame is removed to view the pictures mounted in it.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,558 discloses a display device comprising a stand that has hinged foldable leaves with means to support therebetween, a pair of snapshot albums. The snapshot albums each comprise a plurality of transparent pockets on a binder. The front leaf of the stand has a pair of windows for each album. The pockets are swingable about the binder to bring any desired snapshot into view.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY

The invention is a photo frame apparatus which can display more than one photo or picture. The invention comprises an album or book of photos mounted in a frame. The book of photos comprises a book binder, spine or hinge. The photo frame of the invention simultaneously displays upper and lower photographs or pictures. Upon opening the frame the upper and lower photographs can be flipped like pages in a book thus making it easy to change and display different pairs of photographs. Upon closing the frame the upper and lower photographs are displayed through a frame mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a photo frame apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective environmental view of the photo frame apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the photo frame apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open state.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the photo frame apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an album according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to photo frames. More specifically, the invention is a photo frame apparatus 100 which can display more than one photo or picture from a single album 110.

The description and Figures presented herein demonstrate that the present invention may be practiced or implemented in a variety of embodiments. The discussion of these embodiments amounts to a complete written description that enables those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. While several embodiments are expressly disclosed herein, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the structures, features, operations or functions of the described may be reorganized or reconfigured to create one or more structural or functional equivalent embodiments of the invention that are not specifically discussed herein, but nevertheless fall within the scope of the present invention.

Further, for purposes of description herein, while the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives are used herein to assist the reader, it should be understood that the invention may assume various orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary.” U.S. Patent Numbers mentioned in this disclosure together with U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,010 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

With respect to FIGS. 1 through 4, the photo frame apparatus 100 defines a front side 120 and a rear side 140. The photo frame apparatus 100 comprises an album 110, a picture frame 160, a transparent panel 240, a rear panel 260, a frame mat 320 (the frame mat 320 is optional), a support leg 420 (support leg 420 is optional), and optionally: at least one wall hanging notch 440.

The transparent panel 240 is regarded as optional and can be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, glass, a transparent polymer. If a glass panel is used, the glass can be of the self-cleaning variety with, for example, a self-cleaning surface. If the panel has a self-cleaning surface then this can be the result of a coating such as a hydrophobic wax coating. Several techniques are known for the patterning of hydrophobic surfaces through the use of molded polymers and waxes, by physical processing methods such as ion etching and compression of polymer beads, and by chemical methods such as plasma-chemical roughening, which can provide ultra-hydrophobic coatings; source: Wikipedia.

The picture frame 160 defines a rectangular opening 180, an outside surface 200 and an interior surface 220, the outside surface 200 of the picture frame 160 defining the front side 120 of the photo frame apparatus 100. The transparent panel 240 is located adjacent to the interior surface 220 of the picture frame 160. The picture frame 160 and the rear panel 260 are held together by at least one hinge 280 such that the picture frame 160 and the rear panel 260 pivot or otherwise moves between open and closes positions with respect to each other, the rear panel 260 defining a rear panel surface 300, the rear panel surface 300 is located at the rear side 140 of the photo frame apparatus 100. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular type of hinge and with respect to the at least one hinge 280 any suitable type of hinge can be used. The number and location of hinge 280 can vary without detracting from the claimed invention.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the frame mat 320 defines first and second rectangular cutouts 340 and 360, the frame mat 320 fits adjacent and parallel to transparent panel 240 such that the transparent panel 240 is sandwiched between the picture frame 160 and the frame mat 320. The transparent panel can also be sandwiched between the frame mat 320 and album 110. The first and second cutouts 340 and 360 define a distance therebetween 320 w. The distance 320 w between the first and second rectangular cutouts 340 and 360 is shown in FIG. 2. The terms “rectangular cutouts 340 and 360” and “first and second display areas” are regarded as equivalent terms. The support leg 420 is fitted to the rear panel surface 300. At least one wall hanging notch 440 is located in the picture frame 160.

In one embodiment the album 110 comprises a plurality of sheets 385 with photographs or pictures 400 printed thereon, wherein two adjacent photographs or pictures in the album 110 can be selected for simultaneous display through the first and second rectangular cutouts 340 and 360 of the frame mat 320. The sheets 385 can be printed single or double sided with photographs or pictures 400 thereby increasing the number of photographs or pictures displayable through the cutouts 340 and 360. The album 110 folds flat to enable a close fit against the frame mat 320. In one non-limiting embodiment sheets 385 have printed thereon images selected from the group consisting of: photographs, and printed images, alone or in combination. In one non-limiting embodiment the embodiment sheets 385 have hand crafted images deposited thereon such as, but not limited to, hand drawn pictures. In one non-limiting embodiment sheets 385 have printed thereon images selected from the group consisting of: photographs, and hand crafted images, alone or in combination.

The album 110 comprises a central spine 115; each of the sheets 385 (or sleeves 390, see FIG. 5) are attached along one edge to the spine 115. The spine 115 defines a width 115 w. The width 115 w of the spine 115 is shown in FIG. 3. The spine 115 can be replaced with a book binder or hinge.

In an alternative embodiment the album 110 comprises a plurality of sleeves 390 for inserting separate sheets 387 as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically the album 110 (labeled as 110 p in FIG. 5) has sleeves 390 into which individual sheets 387 can be inserted; the sheets 387 can be photographs or have photographs or pictures printed on them, these separate sheets 387 can also printed with photographs or pictures in double-sided fashion, i.e. each side of one or more sheets 387 can have a photograph or picture printed on both sides thereon.

The rectangular opening 180 can have a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 4, but can have a non-rectangular shape such as, but not limited to, an oval shape. Likewise the cutouts 340 and 360 can have non-rectangular shapes such as, but not limited to, an oval shape. The cutouts 340 and 360 can differ with respect to each other. For example, cutout 340 can have an oval shape and cutout 360 a trapezium shape and vice versa. An optional clasp 460 is used to secure the picture frame 160 and rear panel 260 in a closed position. The clasp 460 attaches to a clasp receiving member 480. The clasp 460 and class receiving member 480 can be made of magnetic material. If used, the location of the optional clasp 460 can vary. The clasp 460 can be any mechanism that attaches the back of the frame 260 to the frame 160.

As noted previously, the “rectangular cutouts 340 and 360” and “first and second display areas” are regarded as equivalent terms. In a non-limiting embodiment the photo-frame apparatus 100 further comprises a 3^(rd) display area in addition to the first and second display areas 340 and 360. In another non-limiting embodiment the photo-frame apparatus 100 further comprises 3^(rd) and 4^(th) display areas in addition to the first and second display areas 340 and 360. In a further non-limiting embodiment the photo-frame apparatus 100 further comprises 3^(rd), 4^(th), 5^(th), and 6^(th) display areas in addition to the first and second display areas 340 and 360. In a further non-limiting embodiment the photo-frame apparatus 100 further comprises 3^(rd), 4^(th), 5^(th), 6^(th), 7^(th) and 8^(th) display areas in addition to the first and second display areas 340 and 360. In another embodiment, the photo-frame apparatus a100 comprises at least one further display area in addition to said first and second display areas 340 and 360, wherein the number of display areas can be even or odd numbers, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 . . . n; where n is an even or odd integer and is not greater than 21.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varies in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A photo frame apparatus, comprising: a picture frame; a rear panel, said picture frame and said rear panel are held together by at least one hinge; and an album, said album is located between said picture frame and said rear panel, said album contains a plurality of sheets with images thereon connected to a central spine, wherein said picture frame and said rear panel are moveable about said at least one hinge to allow said sheets to be turned about said central spine to display different images without removing said album from said photo frame apparatus.
 2. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said images are selected from the group consisting of: photographs, and printed images, alone or in combination.
 3. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said images are hand crafted images. 4-8. (canceled)
 9. A photo frame apparatus having a front side and a rear side, comprising: a picture frame, said picture frame defining a rectangular opening, an outside surface and an interior surface, said outside surface of said picture frame defining said front side of said photo frame apparatus; a transparent panel, said transparent panel is located adjacent to said interior surface of said picture frame; a rear panel, said picture frame and said rear panel are held together by at least one hinge, said rear panel defining a rear panel surface, said rear panel surface is located at said rear side of said photo frame apparatus; a frame mat, said frame mat defines first and second rectangular cutouts, said frame mat fits adjacent and parallel to transparent panel such that said transparent panel is sandwiched between said picture frame and said frame mat; an album said album comprises of a plurality of sheets with photographs printed thereon connected to a central spine, wherein two adjacent photographs can be selected for simultaneous display through said first and second rectangular cutouts of said frame mat, said album is located between said picture frame and said rear panel, wherein said picture frame and said rear panel are rotatable about said at least one hinge to allow said sheets to be turned about said central spine without removing said album from said photo frame apparatus; a support leg fitted to said rear panel surface; and at least one wall hanging notch, said at least one wall hanging notch being located in the picture frame.
 10. A photo frame apparatus having a front side and a rear side, comprising: a picture frame, said picture frame defining a rectangular opening, an outside surface and an interior surface, said outside surface of said picture frame defining said front side of said photo frame apparatus; a transparent panel, said transparent panel is located adjacent to said interior surface of said picture frame; a rear panel, said picture frame and said rear panel are held together by at least one hinge such that said picture frame and said rear panel pivot between open and closes positions with respect to each other, said rear panel defining a rear panel surface, said rear panel surface is located at said rear side of said photo frame apparatus; a frame mat, said frame mat defines first and second rectangular cutouts, said frame mat fits adjacent and parallel to transparent panel such that said transparent panel is sandwiched between said picture frame and said frame mat; an album said album comprises of a plurality of sleeves for receiving individual photographs or pictures, wherein said sleeves are connected to a central spine, wherein during normal use selected photographs in two adjacent sleeves can be simultaneous displayed through said first and second rectangular cutouts of said frame mat, said album is located between said picture frame and said rear panel, wherein said picture frame and said rear panel are rotatable about said at least one hinge to allow said sleeves to be turned about said central spine without removing said album from said photo frame apparatus; a support leg fitted to said rear panel surface; and at least one wall hanging notch, said at least one wall hanging notch being located in the picture frame.
 11. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said central spine is replaced with a book binder.
 12. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said central spine is replaced with a hinge.
 13. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said central spine is replaced with a book binder.
 14. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said central spine is replaced with a hinge.
 15. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said central spine is replaced with a book binder.
 16. The photo-frame apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said central spine is replaced with a hinge. 